Glamping options near Shushan, New York sit between 500-1,000 feet of elevation in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Many campgrounds in this area remain open from late April through mid-October, with limited availability during shoulder seasons when temperatures can drop below freezing at night.
What to do
Hike Mount Olga: A 1.7-mile round trip trail at Molly Stark State Park Campground leads to a fire tower with views of the Green Mountains. The trail connects to the Hogback Mountain Conservation area with additional miles to explore. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes camper Tara S.
Paddle on Emerald Lake: Emerald Lake State Park Campground offers kayak and canoe rentals for exploring the green-hued waters. "The turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," shares reviewer Tara S. The swim area includes a sandy beach and changing facilities.
Bike the Warren County Bikeway: This paved path runs from Lake George to Glens Falls and passes near King Phillip's Campground. The path provides safe biking access to downtown Lake George. "We road the bike path each day to and from Lake George. It was downhill on the way there and a little bit of an uphill battle on the way back but totally worth it! Bring your bikes!!" recommends Stephanie H.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts offers unusually large campsites with natural separation. "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy," writes Nancy W. Some sites feature custom fire pits and can accommodate multiple tents.
Clean swimming areas: Many campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas with clear water quality standards. "The pool is very cool, my kids really enjoyed it... The pool is a little less crowded at night & lit up nicely," notes Happy Camper L. about Moose Hillock Camping Resorts. Woodford State Park offers a "beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it," according to Sambath T.
Private observation areas: Some sites feature elevated areas for stargazing or wildlife viewing. At Woodford State Park Campground, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," reports Melissa S. The park's reservoir provides "plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Shushan fill quickly during peak season (July-August). At King Phillip's Campground, "Getting the right site here is key. Some have room, privacy, and trees. Others are close together, and out in the open," warns IAN P. Booking 6-11 months in advance is recommended for popular weekends.
Shower facilities: Token-operated showers are common at state parks. "Token operated showers that we didn't use this time," notes Melissa S. about Woodford State Park. At Molly Stark State Park, "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," reports Beck P.
Campground noise levels: Reviews frequently mention varying noise levels. "Woodford State Park appears to have lots of children. "As other reviews have mentioned there were a ton of happy noisy kids around, couple of unleashed dogs," writes B. At Molly Stark State Park, "Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing," notes Beck P.
Tips for camping with families
Waterpark access: Lake George Escape Campground offers multiple water features for children. "This place is great for families, it has different activities, a waterslide, peddle carts, kayaks and boats for rent, dancing, and teen specific activities too!" explains Meag F. The campground also provides frisbee plates for kids' meals.
Site location strategies: When camping with children, site selection matters. At Emerald Lake State Park, "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," advises Tara S., noting that "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids."
Pet-friendly areas: Campgrounds like Woodford State Park offer dedicated dog swimming zones. "Our dog loved getting a little swim! (No dogs allowed at the day use area)," mentions Melissa S. At Lake George RV Park, the "2 acre dog park with shaded seating for humans, bathrooms and a dog wash station" receives high praise from April L.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Larger RVs require careful site selection. At Moreau Lake State Park Campground, "Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs" while "the road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig," notes Nancy W.
Hookup variations: Electric, water and sewer options vary widely between campgrounds. Ledgeview Village RV Park features full hookup sites that are "big sites, grounds were very clean, level sites," according to ERIC C. At King Phillip's Campground, "The sewer hook-up was very weird and at an angle that was hard to secure my hose to. Instead of flowing straight down into the ground, it was at 45 degrees and took a big rock for me to secure it," warns Nancy W.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep roads or tight turns. At King Phillip's Campground, "If your camper sits low, chances are it will hit the road on some of the inclines," cautions Cat R. When navigating Lake George Escape Campground, "Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV."
